A view at the history of The Oldruitenborgh Estate

The history of Oldruitenborgh Estate at Vollehove, County Overijssel.

In a rural park at the southern border of old Vollehove lays the stadshavezathe Oldruitenborgh. At the end of the 15th century it was build by Vollehove's bailiff; Egberts Pelgrim van den Ruthenberghe.
In those days the rear side of the castle was placed in the city canal.
Several times the building itself was radically renovated. In 1643 the owner of the Estate, Evert van Echten, made himself part of knighthood. In 1660 a serious conflict occurred between Van Echten and his neighbour, the owner of Toutenburg, regarding property borders. Elaborate sketches of the Estate were made concerning the lawsuit.

The family Van Echten had utmost difficulties to financially sustain. When his son inherited the Castle he was forced to sell the property after a few years to pay off the creditors. Mr. Voorne bought the property for the amount of fl. 5.700,- (guilders). However for some unfamiliar reason it remained in the family Van Echten. In 1723 all its furniture and movable belongings had to be sold by the new heirs to pay off debts made by Reint Wolter Van Echten's widow. The total amount of the sale was fl. 781,-.

In 1738 the Castle became property of Philip Gerrit van Echten, who, in 1729, had also bought the Havezathe Plattenburg. He borrowed fl. 3.000, - to purchase Oldruitenborgh. Philip left the castle to his resident cousin Arend Sloet. Arend was just, prior to this inheritance, married to the utterly wealthy Anna Dannenberg from Steenwijk. Three years later Arend found himself to be the second richest resident of Vollenhove with a fortune of fl. 179.980,-! Within a year, after his wife's passing, he married Johanna van Dedem. In 1763 he received a post as Steward of Salland. His fast wealth and income gave him the opportunity for some extensive renovations. He also expanded his property severely. Just after his death, in 1786, his family bought the Castle Toutenburg which they had torn down immediately.

The debris of Castle Toutenburg provided ground materials for one of the renovations of Oldruitenborgh. In 1809, soon after completion of the renovations, Louise Napoleon paid a visit to Vollenhove and stayed at the castle. The room that was assigned his is even today referred to as the Koningskamer (Kings Room). Nine years later Oldruitenborgh was visited by Willem I and Prince Frederik. Today's impressive façade dates from the late 18th century, when Arend Sloet tot Tweenijenhuizen had once again completely renovated the castle.

The Estate entailed a Coach House, a Orangery, a forester- and labour residency, a park with a pond and the ruin of castle Toutenburg and its remaining lane. The occupation of the new City Hall started at 17th January 1948.

From 1962 until 1966 the castle under went some major restorations. It was completely stripped of its white plaster and the walls were restored. During the restoration all original dormers had disappeared just as the entrance stairs and the blinds of the façade at the South end. In 1973 the castle's interior was fully restored. Today it's the turn of redecorating the surrounding park. A subtle start has been made.

After the uniting of the municipalities Brederwiede and Steenwijk into Steenwijkerland in 2004, it was decided by authorities that the Estate in Vollehove was no longer fit for use as City Hall. After a purchase by a project developer, the Estate was up for sale again at the end of 2006. Since April 2007 the Estate is property of Schokker Monumenten BV. One of its new owners, Mr. Ch. Schokker changed the Estate into a perfect location for private arrangements and for business and private parties.